Pennyrile Electric customers will experience rolling blackouts to ease demand on the Tennessee Valley Authority power grid due to the extremely cold temperatures and sub-zero windchills.
Pennyrile Electric Vice-President of Member Services Brent Gilkey says the cooperative was notified of the need to implement its power reduction plan Friday morning.
click to download audioUtility companies in the TVA service territory will have to reduce their power usage by 5%. This could mean customers will be without electricity for at least 30 minutes and it could happen more than once during the rolling blackout period.
Gilkey says the rolling blackouts were not planned and are needed to help make sure the electricity across the Tennessee Valley service region remains reliable.
click to download audioHe says Tennessee Valley Authority is asking customers to implement power-saving measures on their own.
click to download audioGilkey says the rolling blackouts will continue until the demand on the power system improves and TVA feels the power grid is stable.
